Manuscript, Shtei Shibolim – sermons for various occasions, by R. David Avram son of Michael, rabbi of the L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue and Cavaillon communities in Provence. [Ca. second half of 18th century].

Includes sermons on the Torah, for the first day of Shavuot and many sermons entitled "Sermon for a child". On first page, draft of letter to "R. David of Lunel", signed: "Your brother-in-law, signing here, L'Isle…". At top of p. 16b: "Moshe of Cavaillon owes a penalty of half a franc. Shaul son of Tzemach Carmi also owes a penalty of half a franc".

The present manuscript was originally part of a more extensive manuscript of sermons and letters, formerly in the Gershon Epstein collection in Paris (no. 28), originally comprising 415 leaves. 74 leaves survive in NLI Ms. 1438, in addition to the present volume. See a detailed description in the NLI catalog on the abovementioned manuscript. The title Shtei Shibolim appeared on the title page at the beginning of the complete manuscript.

47 leaves (late pencil foliation). Approx. 23-25 cm (uneven trimming of leaves). Good-fair condition. Stains, wear and tears. New binding.

Three printed documents: royal edicts from the time of the French Revolution (1790) relating to the civil rights of Jews in France. France, 18th century. French. Each document topped by a printed decoration (woodcut).

1. Proclamation du Roi, Sur un Décret de l’Assemblée Nationale, du 16 Avril 1790… – proclamation of King Louis XVI ratifying the edict of the National Assembly of April 16, granting the Jews of Alsace and other provinces legal protections. Nancy: la veuve Leclerc, 1790.

A handwritten marginal inscription indicates that the edict was announced and officially promulgated on May 30, 1790 in Val d'Ajol.

2. Lettres Patentes du Roi, Sur un Décret de l’Assemblée Nationale, portant que les Juifs… – letter of authorization of Louis XVI, delivered in Paris in January 1790, ratifying the National Assembly's decision to grant the Portuguese-Sephardic Jews and Jews of Avignon new political rights, including suffrage. Rouen: Louis Oursel, 1790.

On first page: Handwritten inscription dated March 9, 1790; on last page – official signature (printed and handwritten) approving the document for distribution.

3. Lettres Patentes du Roi, Sur le Décret de l’Assemblée Nationale, du vingt Juillet dernier… – another letter of authorization of Louis XVI, delivered August 7, 1790, ratifying the decision of the National Assembly to annul all taxes and special restrictions placed on the Jews of France, particularly those of the Metz and Lorraine regions. Rouen: J. J. Le Boullenger, 1790. French.

[4] leaves (2-4 printed pages each). Approx. 24-27 cm. Overall good condition. Folding marks and creases. Tears and light wear to margins. Light stains. Inscriptions and signatures.

Kol Todah Rinah UTefillah, prayer service in honor of visit of Emperor Napoleon I and his wife Marie-Louise to the Sephardic synagogue in Amsterdam. Amsterdam: Belinfante Katz, 1811. Hebrew and French on facing pages.

Additional title page in French.

[22] pages. 26 cm. Wide margins. High-quality paper. Good condition. Stains. Old cardboard binding, with minor defects.

Printed booklet, Seder Hanhagat Beit HaKnesset, year-round synagogue customs. Amsterdam: Yosef, Yaakov and Avraham Proops Katz, 1759. Most of text in Yiddish.

Includes 54 customs and ordinances of the Amsterdam synagogue.

Some words on title page in red ink.

9, [1] leaves. 15.5 cm. Good condition. Stains. New binding.

Statutes of the Gemilut Chasadim Chevra Kadisha of the Ashkenazic community in Amsterdam, comprising statutes and customs, list of members and more. Amsterdam: Yaakov Proops, [1776]. Hebrew and Yiddish (in Tzenah URenah font).

Title page illustrated with bones, skulls and undertakers' tools. Part of illustration appears later within book. All leaves have text within a printed frame.

Original leather binding, with gilt decorations, and gilt inscription of owner's name on front of binding: "F[irst] treasurer [Yocha]nan Bing", apparently the person whose name appears first on the list of treasurers printed in the book.

[1], 27 leaves. 16.5 cm. High-quality paper. Good condition. Stains. Tear to title page, affecting frame, repaired with tape to verso. Original leather binding, with gilt decorations. Defects to binding.